Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can have a crushing impact on the lives of veterans. But worse, it is often contagious. The negative psychological and emotional traumas of a vet’s past can spread to his or her family members and other caregivers—with nightmarish consequences. Research shows that parents, spouses and children of returning soldiers with combat PTSD are particularly vulnerable to the stress that inevitably comes from living with a loved one suffering from the aftermath of war.

This video of Julia George and her son, David, a veteran of the war in Iraq, reveals the deep stresses that are all-too-often experienced by veterans and their family members. It also shows how the practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique not only helps veterans, but also relieves the intense stress experienced by their loved ones.

Julia George:

“When David came back he was out of his mind for the effects of the war. He was disrespectful, he was cursing me, and not obeying the law—not obeying nothing.

“He had many car accidents because he was drinking. He said, ‘I don’t care Mom, I don’t care if I crash a car and die tomorrow.’
“I was afraid many times he would kill himself—many, many times—that one day when I come from work or when I come downstairs when I wake up in the morning that he will be dead. I lived like that for so many years.

“When he found TM he changed his way of thinking. He started appreciating his life. He’s another person. He’s normal. He’s thinking about the future. He’s thinking more than anything about respecting himself—loving himself. He said, ‘Every day, every time that I meditate it’s better and I feel better and better and better.’

“Thanks to the TM meditation he is not drinking. It’s beautiful–it’s incredible.”

David George:

“The first time I meditated I experienced this relief from this constant anxiety attack my life had become. I didn’t really realize I was that stressed out, but after my first 20 minutes I came out of it and realized that it was a break (from that). Now being someone who has meditated for a year and two months, I’m so happy.

“I’ll never stop. It has this compounding effect of just getting better and better, and this great feeling lasts longer and longer.”